WATERLOO – Wilfrid Laurier University is pleased to announce a $250,000 gift from Gerard (Gerry) and Nancy McGrath in support of Laurier’s Centre for Excellence in Business Education and the construction of the new home of Laurier’s School of Business & Economics and Department of Mathematics. This brings the McGrath family’s total commitment to Laurier to well over $500,000. The Centre for Excellence in Business Education will be renamed the McGrath Centre for Excellence in Business Education.

“Laurier deeply appreciates the McGrath family’s extraordinary support of Laurier’s business students and we are delighted to rename the centre in their honour,” said Max Blouw, president and vice-chancellor of Laurier. “This latest gift will help Laurier further internationalize our student experience and strengthen students’ expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship through real-world experience.”

Among other roles, the McGrath Centre for Excellence in Business Education acts as a coordinating body for local, national and international activities for students at Laurier’s School of Business & Economics. The centre links students with scholars, industry experts, alumni and communities for programs and events that are entrepreneurial and experiential. The activities include student and faculty travel for learning and leadership opportunities, such as study exchanges, case competitions and collaborations in projects and research initiatives.

The McGrath Centre for Excellence in Business Education will be housed in the new home of the School of Business & Economics when it opens in 2015. The centre will further advance Laurier’s expertise in business education by consolidating worldwide research and resources on teaching and learning, and initiating innovative new teaching practices.

Gerry McGrath is the chief financial officer and partner of Perseis Partners Inc., a firm offering institutional investors access to a full range of professional management services essential to achieving exceptional risk-adjusted returns in Canadian private equity opportunities.